Essential Spanish Vocabulary – The Weather

Contrary to popular belief (or at least as depicted in the musical "My Fair Lady"), the rain in Spain does not mainly stay in the plain! Spain is famous for its sunny weather and gorgeous beaches. However, it can turn cold, rainy and windy when you least expect it. Besides being unpredictable in most regions, the weather in Spain varies drastically throughout the country.

Depending on where you are, the temperature will be more or less severe. Winter months can be quite rough, with freezing temperatures and high winds, especially in the center and north of the Peninsula. In the Mediterranean area and southern areas the weather is usually milder. This guide will get you started in practicing the basic vocabulary terms relating to the weather in Spain.

Phrase in Spanish

Phrase in English

Pronunciation

Tiempo

Weather

Tee-ehm-poh

Lluvia

Rain

Yoo-vee-ah

Nieve

Snow

Nee-eh-veh

Niebla

Fog

Nee-eh-blah

Sol

Sun

Sol

Viento

Wind

Vee-ehn-toh

Trueno

Thunder

Troo-eh-noh

Relámpago

Lightning

Reh-lam-pa-goh

Brisa

Breeze

Bree-sah

Granizo

Hail

Grah-nee-zoh

Llovizna

Drizzle

Yoh-veez-nah

Inundación

Flood

Ee-noon-dah-ziohn

Helada

Frost

Eh-lah-dah

Tormenta

Storm

Tohr-men-tah

Arcoíris

Rainbow

Ar-koee-rees

Prónostico

Forecast

Prohnos-teekoh

Ola de calor

Heat wave

O-lah-deh kah-lor

Humedad

Humidity

Oomehdahd

Estación

Season

Ehstah-zeeon

Huracán

Hurricane

Oorahkahn

Terremoto

Earthquake

The-rreh-mohtoh

Paraguas

Umbrella

Pahra-gwahs

Chubasquero

Raincoat

Choo-bahs-keh-roh

Botas de agua

Rubber boots/Wellingtons

Boh-tas deh ahgwah

Hace viento

It's windy

Az-eh vee-ehn-toh

Hace calor

It's hot

Az-eh kah-lor

Hace frío

It's cold

Az-eh free-o

Hay neblina

It's misty

A-ee nehblee-nah

Hay lluvias torrenciales

It's pouring

A-ee yoo-vee-ahs toh-rehn-zeeales

Hay lloviznas

It's sprinkling

A-ee yoh-veeznahs

Puesta de sol

Sunset

Poo-ehstah deh sol

Amanecer

Sunrise

Ah-mah-neh-zer

Alba

Dawn

Ahl-bah

Luna llena

Full moon

Loo-nah ye-nah

Sobre cero

Above zero

Soh-breh ze-roh

Bajo cero

Below zero

Bah-ho ze-roh

Grados

Degrees

Grah-dohs

Slang/Commonly Used Expressions:

Expression in Spanish

Expression in English

Pronunciation

¿Qué tiempo hace?

What's the weather like?

Keh tee-ehm-poh azeh

Está lloviendo a cántaros

It's raining cats and dogs

Estah yo-vee-ehndoh ah kahntahrohs

Estar empapado

To be drenched

Estahr ehmpahpah-doh

Hace un frío que pela

It's freezing cold

Az-eh oon freeoh keh pehla

Hace muchísimo calor

It's boiling hot

Az-eh moocheeseemoh kahlohr

¡Hace un día precioso!

It's a beautiful day!

Az-eh oon deeah preh-cee-ohsoh

Hace un día soleado

It's a sunny day

Az-eh oon deeah sohleh-ah doh

Parece que va a llover

It looks like it is going to rain

Pah-rehze ke va a yo-vehr

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